uly 27, 2022—The CIP held the closing ceremony of the 2022 Austronesian Forum’s Cultivation Program for Young Talent in International Affairs (Taiwan Training Class) at the ITA Taiwan Indigenous Cultural Resort. The ceremony, hosted by CIP Deputy Minister Calivat‧Gadu, was attended by Jasmine Elise Huggins, Ambassador from Taiwanese ally Saint Christopher and Nevis, as well as diplomatic representatives from the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Tuvalu, the Philippines, and Australia.

This marks the 19th year the CIP has organized the Cultivation Program for Young Talent in International Affairs. In that time, the program has successfully trained nearly 800 outstanding young people who have since gone on to develop that talent in a number of fields, both at home and abroad. As an important platform for building friendships and connections between young people from around the world, this program has brought together students from Taiwan and other countries to discuss their own cultures, policies, and issues. This year, students from 11 countries including Taiwan, Palau, Nauru, Tuvalu, the Marshall Islands, the Solomon Islands, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Australia, and the United States were presented with their training certificates by diplomatic representatives from several countries looking on.

Deputy Minister Calivat made special mention of Minister Icyang’s exclusive interview in May with the Taiwan Review, a monthly publication produced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during which he was asked to share the contents, goals, and achievements of the Cultivation Program for Young Talent in International Affairs. Clearly, this program has not only garnered recognition locally, but has also stimulated discussion on the international front. Minister Icyang emphasized that the fruition of this plan is only due to the joint efforts of the CIP and other countries.

The CIP also indicated that in the future it plans to organize a Cultivation Program for Young Talent in International Affairs’ Regional Training Class. Selected students will undergo training in other countries to develop their knowledge and understanding of local and international issues at a deeper level. The plan was well-received by the students and diplomatic representatives in attendance.